Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Babs keen to fund cure for Alzheimer’s
EastEnders’ Tanya hits the road in aid of Alzheimer’s star and her own stepdad
BARBARA Windsor is desperate to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s before she dies.
Scott Mitchell, husband of the 81-year-old EastEnders and Carry On actress, said: “They believe in six years a cure or at least a major breakthrough could be found with the right funding.
“The problem is, they don’t have enough money to do the research needed.
“That is what we are aiming for. We both know it will be too late for Barbara but she still wants to do what she can to help.”
Scott, 56, who is running the London Marathon with a team of pals to raise funds, added: “Barbara gets great comfort from the fact we are trying to do something positive.”
EASTENDERS’ Tanya Franks will run the London Marathon after being inspired by TWO people battling Alzheimer’s.
The 51-year-old actress has seen former co-star Dame Barbara Windsor tackle dementia with dignity and courage.
Closer to home, Tanya’s stepdad is showing similar resolve as he, too, faces the same issues.
Tanya, who plays Rainie Cross in the BBC1 soap, said: “I have a family member who has Alzheimer’s. We’re dealing with that.
“My stepfather will be in my sights, so will Barbara.
“It’s a severely underfunded disease. We don’t know enough about it. The awareness has leapt this past year and that’s got a lot to do with Barbara.”
Scott Mitchell, 56 – hubby of TV’s much-loved Barbara, 81 – is also running the marathon.
And he and Tanya will be joined by a right collection of Cockneys in the form of EastEnders stars Adam Woodyatt, Jake Wood, Emma Barton, Natalie Cassidy, Kellie Shirley, Jamie Borthwick and Jane Slaughter.
Training for the event has kept Tanya occupied while not playing TV’s Rainie. She and her character could barely be more different. Rainie is a former druggie and Tanya is teetotal and enjoys a quiet life with her partner James Barriscale in Kent.
Her powerful performances as Rainie have touched families who have been ravaged by addiction.
ADDICTION
Tanya added: “Somebody came up to me in the street and said a family member of theirs had been going through a similar situation.
“As a family they’ve clocked into Rainie and over the years she has been a formative character for them. Particularly when she was going through crack addiction.
“Their family member was going through the same thing and they would watch Rainie. We have a social responsibility to tell the stories.” Tanya first set foot in Albert Square more than 10 years ago and loves every minute.
The Londonborn star – who was seen last week at the West End version of Only Fools And Horses – had a special word to say about another EastEnders veteran, 92-year-old June Brown, who plays Dot Cotton.
Tanya said: “June is wonderful. She’s still playing that iconic character. She comes on set with all the same ethics she’s ever had. Her integrity towards the work is absolutely paramount. She’s an inspiration to me and it’s an honour to work with her.”
And Tanya also heaped praise on another inspirational actress – Olivia Colman, 44, who played Queen Anne in The Favourite and is up for the best actress award at tonight’s Oscars.
The pair starred in Broadchurch together. Tanya said: “I watched the film when I was in LA. She’s amazing in it. I was mesmerised by her. She’s not a showbiz person, she is down to earth and it’s fantastic that she’s being recognised. It reminds you it’s possible that dreams do come true.” But Tanya doesn’t have any visions of Hollywood stardom herself. She added: “Rainie challenges me right across the gamut. There’s drama and comedy. I’m learning from her. If Rainie keeps challenging me I’m happy to stay.”